The benefits of slowness are objective and clear to see. A slow and steady approach is almost always the best one to take. Patience is a virtue, after all.

When something is given the time to marinate, greatness can occur.

Whereas to rush something and push too soon is risky at best.

Catastrophic at its worst.

BUT … how attainable is a slow or steady approach in today’s fast-paced world. Are the benefits of slowness as beneficial as they once were?

That is the question, and its answer is no longer as simple as it once was.

the benefits of slowness?

I am, by all accounts, a coffee snob. I love coffee.  I very much need coffee. But only if it’s good coffee. If it isn’t, I’d rather go without.

And good coffee, my friend, requires patience and time.

Especially my personal favorite: a V60

It requires a slow pour; a few minutes of resting; a steady and intentional pace. You cannot rush it. If you do, it ruins both the taste and, as this video shows, a messy countertop.

The older I get and the more “life” I live, the more I realize this is true of most aspects of living. The best sauces are those that sit on a simmering heat. The best meats, cheese, wines, and spirits are those left to linger. As the old sayings and sages suggest, good things come to those that wait.

But again, is it possible in today’s fast-paced world?

The world is, after all, a very different place—and the future of AI is set to continue our shift toward what we see as work, living, and everything in between.

Even if you want to take your time and commit to a slow or steady pace, it isn’t always possible—and the reasons for this are more vast than you think…

the problem with slow or steady

As you may have noticed, the world has changed a lot over the last few decades. It’s set to continue its ever-evolving ways, the whoosh of which much wooshier.

Despite this, we continue to abide by old rules and methods that have lasted the test of time. Some of these are societal (work/life balance, for instance) whereas others are philosophical.

From the Stocis and their patience is a virtue ways to ancient fables like the tortoise and the hare, we’re nudged toward taking our time. For good reason, too. Not only have these old sayings lasted so long for a reason, but it’s difficult to argue against a slow and steady approach.

It’s proven to work again and again, and it is, quite frankly, healthier.

This is never more true than when it comes to your personal growth. Be it journaling, meditation, going for a walk just because, or simply giving yourself the time to step back and think … taking your time is amazing.

If anything else, it helps you reclaim freedom and energy.

The problem is, it’s growing harder to commit to patience. And not just for the reason you think… sure, all that “noise” out there doesn’t help, nor does today’s hustle culture that dictates so much.

That does play a large role, as we’ll look at in a second.

Yet first and foremost, the big problem begins with you …

you are addicted to dopamine

For many years now (chances are, most if not all of your life), you’ve woken up to a bombardment of messages, promotions, and *noise*.

It’s all very stimulating and exciting.

If not completely overwhelming.

From sliding through social media to swiping across dating apps, to ever-shorter videos and brands from around the world vying for our attention, we’re met with one message after another—and it never-ever ends.

As humans, we’re prone to addiction. Do anything enough, and you’ll likely find yourself addicted to it; at the very least, reliant on it.

This convey belt of shot glasses, each one filled to the brim with dopamine, is no different.

Part of you wants to escape the noise and take a lovely, peaceful step back.

Yet we are but the decisions we make and the actions we take, so even when we do find the time to find (and enjoy) a little silence, we struggle to embrace it.

Case and point: go sit in a quiet room for five minutes and DO nothing.

Just sit there… take it in … try and silence your mind … refuse to pick up your phone … feel what you feel and see what goes on inside your body…

Chances are, you’ll find it uncomfortable. You’re not used to it. It feels so strange because so much of your life is surrounded by a cacophony of *noise*.

It’s weird how warped our relationship with silence has become, but it isn’t all that surprising when you take into account what goes around us at all times…

when addiction meets abundance

As each day passes, you become more reliant on all these spikes of dopamine.

This is bad enough, but when you combine it with the world we live in that feeds us an abundant and endless supply of it … well, it’s a recipe for disaster.

It’s harder than ever to just sit back and take your time.

And it’s set to get even harder.

This doesn’t even take into account the expectations that continue to evolve as the lines between work and life blur. As a worker in this world, you are expected to work more, do more, “be” more … to an extent, we all struggle with all this.

We know we should slow down…

We know we should take our time…

We know patience is a virtue…

Yet we live in a world that doesn’t exactly promote it, let alone let you practice it.

So listening to that sage advice and reading ancient fables that suggest taking your time leads you to win the race … it sounds good but does it still work?

It does, kind of… although it requires you to tweak your entire perspective…

the benefits of slowness 2.0

More than 2,000 years ago, it’s said the Roman Emperor, Augustus, adopted the motto … Festina lente

This translates to “make haste, slowly.”

These three words hold the key, as when I read them I think of INTENTION.

Intention cares less about pace and more about focus.

With intention, you can pick up the pace without it affecting the end result. So long as you focus on the task at hand and are intentional about what you DO (and do not do!) you can achieve a great deal.

Even if you don’t go slow or steady … even if you don’t practice patience … even if you do skip certain steps … it isn’t to say you shouldn’t take your time and it is not to suggest you can pick up the pace indefinitely, but with intention by your side you can achieve a great deal—even in this fast-paced and unforgiving world.

INTENTION is the key to all this. It ensures you keep your focus and assures you that you can win the race, whatever is or is not happening around you.

Because here’s the thing, my friend—and this is important for you to hear because you are someone committed to your personal growth—this world you live in isn’t going anywhere.

This is good by the way because we live in a beautiful period of time that’s sure to get even better as we become more emphatic and aware.

BUT The Hustle and the bustle and temptation to grind your gears…

AND the access to more people, things, and shot glasses of dopamine…

None of it’s going anywhere. If anything, it will only become more chaotic.

So your duty to yourself is to adjust and be as conscious (and intentional) as you can. It isn’t to say those ancient words of wisdom and thoughtfully crafted philosophies no longer apply because they do and are more important than ever.

But you have to contextualize them and relate them to your present situation.

Because you face a different kind of battle from those ancient stoics. The struggles you face are different, and the addictions you have are too. 

You can (and should) minimize them and there are certainly ways to do just that.

Yet social media and the online world and the advancement of AI are all tools you likely need; indeed, they are glorious tools that can bring so much joy to your life.

There is a cost, though; a dark side, if you will.

So you need to take control and use them as best as you can. You need to appreciate the world you live in, and the fact that slow or steady won’t always win the race. Sometimes you do have to pick up the pace, work up a sweat, and yes, I’m afraid to say commit to the hustle and grind—although only for a time.

That is the reality for most of us, and that is fine.

Because it isn’t about pace, not anymore. It’s about intention.

how to be INTENTIONAL

The benefits of slowness are still there. They just look a little different these days.

In an ideal world, you’ll enjoy lots of time to take a step back so you can reflect.

Indeed, it’s taking steps back like this that allows you to grow and fill your cup.

Yet you also need to embrace that 1) you live in a fast-paced world that’s fast whether you like it or not, and 2) it will continue to tempt and distract you each day. There’s no value in pretending this isn’t the case. Choose to embrace it.

But how? It comes back to that word … INTENTION.

Your life is nothing but a series of chapters. It never stands still and no two periods are ever the same. Some are quieter and more peaceful than others. Some are chaotic, full of long days and hard work.

Some of these periods last a matter of weeks. Others, several months or years.

All different, yet all yours nevertheless.

All we can ever do is:

1. Be conscious of our situation and surroundings
2. Be intentional with our time, energy & attention

The danger is when you lose sight of these two aspects. Without being conscious of your current situation, you run the risk of going through the motions and allowing time (and life) to pass you by. And without being intentional with your time, energy, or attention, you’ll almost inevitably end up rushing, whooshing & cutting corners.

Little good happens when that’s the case.

Whereas if you have intention, you can take control of the wheel.

With intention, you can maintain your focus and do what you need to.

With intention, you can make haste, slowly or not.

So today, right now, choose to reclaim some time by taking a moment to reflect on your current situation, how busy it is, and what’s required of you. If it involves a lot of fast-paced this and that, so be it. You’ve got this. Just be conscious of it.

But don’t rush for the sake of it. Don’t cut corners with no second thought.

Be hyper-focused on what you need to focus on … be intentional.

With it, you can achieve so much and reap the benefits of slowness even if you have no time to take your time.

hi, i’m turndog and I wrote this article … i am a writer, ghostwriter, anti-hustler & a guy on a mission to ensure you too escape the hustle — come be part of the [no hustle] movement

hi, i’m turndog and I wrote this article … i am a writer, ghostwriter, anti-hustler & a guy on a mission to ensure you too escape the hustle — come be part of the [no hustle] movement